Heaven & Earth is the third commercial studio album by the American Christian and gospel singer Phil Wickham, released on November 17, 2009.[1] The album debuted on No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Christian Albums chart after selling nearly 14k albums with more than 40 percent of album sales in digital, making his highest chart debut on Billboard 200 at No. 55.
| Heaven & Earth | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| Studio album by | ||||
| Released | November 17, 2009 | |||
| Studio |
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| Genre | Contemporary Christian music, contemporary worship music | |||
| Length | 47:54 | |||
| Label | INO | |||
| Producer | Pete Kipley | |||
| Phil Wickham chronology | ||||
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| Singles from Heaven & Earth | ||||
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The acoustic version of Heaven & Earth is an exclusive to the pre-order of the full-length album, contains the unplugged acoustic version of his new record.[2]
The expanded edition of Heaven & Earth is only available for digital download via iTunes on August 31, 2010, the exclusive edition includes four new songs, the new single "In My Love", "Great In My Live", a remix version of "Eden", and "One Who Overcomes" which was also included in the collection album "Catalyst Music Project". On the same day, Phil also released his second live recording "Singalong" album, which includes fourteen his previous hits (incl. "Cannons" and "Divine Romance"), the album is only available for two months on iTunes.[3]
Christian Music Review named the album "One of the Top Albums of 2009".[citation needed]
Background
editTheme behind Heaven & Earth
editOn this new one Heaven and Earth, the music is more talking about the story that we are a part of - we were lost even before we were born, but now because of what Jesus did, we have the possibility of being found. I've got heaven on my mind all the time. I love talking about it, I'm reading these books about it and making sure everything I'm singing about on the record is all theologically correct. I'm just really, really excited about the whole theme of eternity."
— Phil Wickham, [4]
Critical reception
edit| Review scores | |
|---|---|
| Source | Rating |
| Jesus Freak Hideout |   [5] |
| Allmusic |  [6] |
| Melodic | [7] |
| ChristianMusic Review | [8] |
| CCM Magazine | [9] |
Heaven & Earth has received positive reviews from most music critics.
Nathaniel Schexnayder from Jesus Freak Hideout: "Throw in Wickham's previous compelling lyrics along with a good sophomore release for INO records (Cannons) and the respected singer/song writer has some momentum built for possibly his best project yet, Heaven & Earth is easily one of the finest worship projects of the year."[10]
Reverend Lee Power from AllMusic: "Heaven & Earth cements Wickham reputation as one of contemporary gospel most original voices, and the perfect tonic for those who feel that modern CCM lacks the artistry of its muse."[6]
Kevin Davis from New Release Tuesday: "Heaven & Earth is not only an encouraging album from a lyrical standpoint, but a delight to listen to with guitar parts that feel like they are literally plucking strings connected to your chest and lonesome yet lush string arrangements, recorded at famed Abbey Road Studios."[11]
“Wickham is moving in a fascinating direction with his sound, and with this album he seems to be testing the waters a bit. It makes the prospect of future material that much more enticing. But until then, we have this fine album—one of 2009’s best—to keep us company.” - ChristianMusicToday.com[12]
"This is definitely Phil Wickham’s best overall album and one of my top 10 albums of 2009. These melodies are off the charts and any test audience will have a hard time not giving these songs 5 star ratings. This is a 5 star album.” - Christian Music Review[13]
Commercial performance
editHeaven & Earth debuted on No. 4 on Billboard's Hot Christian Albums chart and No. 55 on Billboard 200 after selling nearly 14,000 copies, with more than 40 percent of album sales in digital, the album also debuted at No. 24 on Billboard Digital Albums.[14]
Track listing
editAll songs were written and co-written by Phil Wickham, and produced by his long-time producer Peter Kipley. The expanded edition of Heaven & Earth included four new tracks, the new single "In My Love", "Great In My Life", a remix version of "Eden", and "One Who Overcomes" which was originally included in the 2009 compilation album, Catalyst Music Project.
Heaven & Earth[15]
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | "Eden" | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 3:16 |
| 2. | "Coming Alive" | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 3:44 |
| 3. | "Heaven & Earth" | Phil Wickham, Phil Danyew | Peter Kipley | 3:49 |
| 4. | "The Time Is Now" | Phil Wickham, Peter Kipley | Peter Kipley | 4:33 |
| 5. | "Hold On" | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 3:33 |
| 6. | "Safe" (featuring Bart Millard) | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 3:41 |
| 7. | "I'll Always Love You" | Phil Wickham, Tyler Chester | Peter Kipley | 3:47 |
| 8. | "In Your City" | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 4:16 |
| 9. | "Your Arrival" | Phil Wickham, Phil Danyew | Peter Kipley | 3:44 |
| 10. | "Because of Your Love" | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 4:33 |
| 11. | "Cielo" | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 5:03 |
| 12. | "Heaven Song" | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 4:05 |
| Total length: | 47:54 | |||
| No. | Title | Writer(s) | Producer(s) | Length |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 13. | "In My Love" (iTunes Bonus Track) | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 3:35 |
| 14. | "Eden (remix)" (iTunes Bonus Track) | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 3:44 |
| 15. | "Great In My Life" (iTunes Bonus Track) | Phil Wickham | Peter Kipley | 4:10 |
| 16. | "One Who Overcomes" | Nic Carver | Peter Kipley | 4:22 |
| Total length: | 52:45 | |||
Personnel
editAdapted from album notes.[17]
- Phil Wickham – vocals, acoustic piano, guitars
- Evan Wickham – guitars, banjo (4), piano (12)
- Taylor Johnson – guitars (3, 11)
- Pete Kipley – bass
- Brandon Lozano – drums (1-5, 9-12)
- Daniel Bailey – drums (6, 8)
- Joel Plotnik – drums (7)
- London Symphony Orchestra – strings
- Bart Millard – vocals (6)
Production
edit- Pete Kipley – producer, recording, mixing
- Peter Corbin – recording
- Steve Churchyard – drum recording
- Alex Curth – assistant engineer, digital editing
- David Larring – mixing
- Chris Athens – mastering at Sterling Sound (New York City, New York)
- Christian Rios – photography, art direction
- Noah Gonzales – design, layout
- BrickHouse Entertainment – management
Charts
edit| Chart (2009–2010) | Peak position |
|---|---|
| U.S. Billboard 200 | 55 |
| U.S. Digital Albums | 24 |
| U.S. Christian Albums | 4 |
References
edit- ^ "Heaven & Earth (Bonus Track Version) by Phil Wickham | CD Reviews And Information | NewReleaseToday". www.newreleasetoday.com. Retrieved 2018-11-17.
- ^ "Phil Wickham - Heaven and Earth (Acoustic Version)". Christian Rock Rocks. 2009-11-14. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "'Heaven & Earth' AND 'Singalong' Available". Phil Wickham. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "Interview with Phil Wickham - Part 1 [Gourmet Music Report #36] | Joyful Noise". Christianpost.com. 2009-11-11. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "Jesus Freak Hideout review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. 2009-11-17. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
- ^ a b Christopher, James (2009-11-17). "Allmusic review". Allmusic.com. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
- ^ "Melodic review". Melodic.net. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
- ^ "ChristianMusic Review review". Christianmusicreview.org. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
- ^ "CCM Magazine review". Thefish.com. 2010-01-12. Retrieved 2012-05-20.
- ^ "Phil Wickham, "Heaven & Earth" Review". Jesusfreakhideout.com. 2009-11-17. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "Phil Wickham Artist Profile | Biography And Discography". NewReleaseTuesday.com. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ Christian Music Review. "Phil Wickham [Heaven & Earth] (2009)". Christianmusicreview.org. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "Heaven & Earth Delivered Beautifully by Wickham - Review, Christian Music Reviews". Thefish.com. 2010-01-12. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "Top iTunes Christian & Gospel Album Downloads - Page 2". Top100musicdownloads.com. 2009-09-27. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Heaven & Earth (Bonus Track Version) by Phil Wickham". Itunes.apple.com. 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "iTunes - Music - Heaven & Earth (Expanded Edition) by Phil Wickham". Itunes.apple.com. 2010-08-31. Retrieved 2012-02-20.
- ^ "Heaven & Earth, Phil Wickham, Music CD - Barnes & Noble". Music.barnesandnoble.com. 2009-11-17. Retrieved 2012-02-20.